Hi everyone. This is my very first post, and I am new to the world of concealed carrying. I need to find a holster for my Sig Sauer P229R and really need some advice. I am torn between the Aker 268 and the 268A. They are both paddle holsters, and the only difference is that one has a thumb break. I am nervous about the thumb break. Does this have any affect on draw time? If I don't get the thumb break, is my weapon at risk for falling out? Any advice is immensely appreciated. Thanks for your help.
Holster advice PLEASE!!
- Thread starter pm88
- Start date
Generally speaking your holster should hold the gun snuggly enough that no additional retention is required. However, if a person were running, riding ATVs, riding horses, rambling in the woods, etc. a retention device might be helpful. Also, some departments require them, but I assume that is not an issue in your case.
At the end of the day I have no personal experience with the specific holster you mentioned, but would generally go without the thumb break.
At the end of the day I have no personal experience with the specific holster you mentioned, but would generally go without the thumb break.
Thank you for your response. The only reason for my hesitation is that if I am in a life or death situation, where every second is crucial, I don't want to have to fiddle around with a thumb break that may hinder my ability to defend myself. Do you think that this would affect draw time? Thanks again.
Yes, I think in theory it will so low you down, but also training will have a lot to do with it. I suspect if you train with the thumb break holster (using an unloaded gun) and develop muscle memory which makes drawing the gun automatic you should be fine.
However, as I said earlier unless I specifically felt I needed some type of retention device I would get the holster without the thumb break.
However, as I said earlier unless I specifically felt I needed some type of retention device I would get the holster without the thumb break.
A recent newspaper article stated a person went to a movie and moved about in the seat trying to stay awake. In the process, his gun slipped out and ended up on the floor. After arriving home, he discovered the gun was missing. The gun was found by a child in a later sitting of the movie and was turned over to the police. Had the person a thumb break or some other way to ensure the gun could not fall out, this problem may not have occurred. I would think that if you practice drawing enough, most holster securing devices will not seriously impede the draw time if you learn the correct drawing techniques. None of my different holsters really change the draw time enough to be concerned about. I have practiced drawing fast and shooting as well as slow draw and shooting. You may find your level of proficiency will be between the two speeds and the thumb break will not matter.
Paddle rigs, SIG holsters....
I'm not a big fan of paddle style holsters. I used one from Blade-tech for my Ruger GPNY .38spl in the mid 2000s. I'd buy a solid belt loop style.
Popular brands include the Galco, Milt Sparks, Safariland, COM Holsters, HighNoon Holsters, Bianchi, Kramer Leather, SERPA/Blackhawk.
A Kydex or polymer holster may do very well for a concealed SIG. Whatever model you choose, check to make sure it fits the "rail" or R version. Some may not.
Some brands offer horsehide too, which lasts a long time.
Clyde
I'm not a big fan of paddle style holsters. I used one from Blade-tech for my Ruger GPNY .38spl in the mid 2000s. I'd buy a solid belt loop style.
Popular brands include the Galco, Milt Sparks, Safariland, COM Holsters, HighNoon Holsters, Bianchi, Kramer Leather, SERPA/Blackhawk.
A Kydex or polymer holster may do very well for a concealed SIG. Whatever model you choose, check to make sure it fits the "rail" or R version. Some may not.
Some brands offer horsehide too, which lasts a long time.
Clyde
Kreyzhorse
New member
I agree. Paddle holsters are thicker due to their design and harder to conceal in my experience.
I'd also suggest looking at an OWB belt loop holster. I prefer leather and both Galco and Bianchi are well made holsters that won't break the bank.
Using a well made leather holster will provide enough security that you don't need the extra security of a thumb break. I understand when you first tart carrying, a thumb break seems like a great idea but in practice, you really don't need one.
Thank you to everybody that has helped me with this. Everyone certainly gave me quite a bit to think about. I do not take this stuff lightly and consider it a very big decision, and as such, I need to evaluate my needs and options with the information that I have gathered from talking to experts like all of you. I appreciate all of the help that you were able to give me. Thanks again for your time 
Thumb-breaks are generally faster than the other retention straps that use a snap. When the thumb hits the strap, there is very little pressure needed to have it pop loose. If you try one you will most likely decide that it is what you want. They are not that great for ease of one-handed re-holstering though.
The holsters you posted seem to be well-formed to the gun, and I would say that they do not need a retention strap. However, getting a holster with a thumb-break as shown would not likely add significantly to draw speed.
The holsters you posted seem to be well-formed to the gun, and I would say that they do not need a retention strap. However, getting a holster with a thumb-break as shown would not likely add significantly to draw speed.
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pm88 said:
A thumb break affects draw technique but that does not mean it slows it down. There is more to it than just deployment, you don't want your gun to fall out if your pushed to the ground first. Consider the balance of concealability, retention, and deployment then practice drawing till its acceptable.
I have seen that some people who have responded have questioned why I have decided to go with a paddle holster, so here is the explanation. I work as a counterterrorism intelligence specialist for a federal agency, but my duties do not require me to carry firearms. I want to start due to a promotion I have received that will require me to spend more time in the field, and on crime scenes, and I would feel more comfortable armed, and some of my co-workers who also carry convinced me it was a good idea for my safety. I know much more about the firearms themselves, than the actual holsters. Anyway, there are some areas of the building that are secured, where I can not be armed, and at these times, my weapon will be locked away, and off of my person. I gravitated towards paddle style holsters, for the ease of taking it on and off, and not needing to undress myself every time I enter a secured area. I hope that clears it up some. Thank you for all of your feedback.
No they do not allow firearms to be carried, other than the agents who secure the building. My apologies for being unclear . . . let me clarify. I will be spending about as much time in the field as some agents do, and on a crime scene, I would feel better armed. I also am occasionally brought along on murder scenes, making arrests, and other stuff like that because I do some profiling, and don't want to be the only person unarmed (at these times when I am in the field, I am allowed to carry firearms, just not in the building).
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shoulder holster....
If you plan on removing/wearing a firearm in a holster a lot due to your CT position, I'd look at a well made shoulder rig. A Aker Comfort Flex, Galco Miami Classic II, Kirkpatrick Leather, Ted Blocker Lifeline(which is used on the Fox crime drama; Bones), or Mitch Rosen.
You can also tote a spare mag or white light/handcuffs on the off-side(if you are sworn or have arrest powers).
I'd highly suggest packing at least one less lethal weapon when you go out too.
An impact weapon, OC spray or X26 Taser. You may need it in the field. I read a gun press item a few years ago by a criminal investigator who was attacked by a EDP(emotional disturbed person) while he interviewed at witness.
ASP has a line of smaller, lighter batons for concealed use. Mako Group sells a slick polymer impact weapon with a glass breaker. It's only 9.2oz.
For well made OC sprays, I'd get Vextor micro-spin(Mk 3/Mk4 size) or Cold Steel's powerful Inferno(8% OC/2% black pepper).
If you decide to carry OC spray or a chemical agent, take a formal class to document your skill training if you have a use of force incident.
ClydeFrog
www.galls.com www.policehq.com www.qmuniforms.com www.coldsteel.com
If you plan on removing/wearing a firearm in a holster a lot due to your CT position, I'd look at a well made shoulder rig. A Aker Comfort Flex, Galco Miami Classic II, Kirkpatrick Leather, Ted Blocker Lifeline(which is used on the Fox crime drama; Bones), or Mitch Rosen.
You can also tote a spare mag or white light/handcuffs on the off-side(if you are sworn or have arrest powers).
I'd highly suggest packing at least one less lethal weapon when you go out too.
An impact weapon, OC spray or X26 Taser. You may need it in the field. I read a gun press item a few years ago by a criminal investigator who was attacked by a EDP(emotional disturbed person) while he interviewed at witness.
ASP has a line of smaller, lighter batons for concealed use. Mako Group sells a slick polymer impact weapon with a glass breaker. It's only 9.2oz.
For well made OC sprays, I'd get Vextor micro-spin(Mk 3/Mk4 size) or Cold Steel's powerful Inferno(8% OC/2% black pepper).
If you decide to carry OC spray or a chemical agent, take a formal class to document your skill training if you have a use of force incident.
ClydeFrog
www.galls.com www.policehq.com www.qmuniforms.com www.coldsteel.com
Thanks ClydeFrog for all of your advice. As for the OC spray . . . I actually have a pepper spray / mace with me most of the time in the field, but unfortunately, due to the indisputable increase in lethal violence that has infiltrated our society, exemplified by recent tragedy, that's not gonna cut it. As far as the shoulder holsters, I have never really been a huge fan of any kind of cross-draw, only because I find it a bit more risky. I will definitely look into that as an alternative to a paddle holster. (and I have obtained certification for use of chemical agents through my agency, it was actually part of the field training!). Normally, I would go with a different and more concealable gun, (even a sig p226 / p228 because they are slightly more narrow) but Sig Sauer p229's and p229R's are the standard firearms issued by my department. Thanks again for all your help.
I noticed that you hadn't mentioned that you were looking for other "brands" in your initial post, but saw that a couple other guys mentioned different ones so I'll chime in too.
Raven Concealment and Off the Grid holsters have served me very well. Raven has an INSANE wait time though, and OTG will usually crank something out inside a week or two. They're both kydex and look very similar. No thumb breaks anything but the gun is extremely secure. I've used them to carry various pistols over the past couple years and had zero problems. Comp-tac also makes some great concealed stuff.
The only downside to kydex like that is it's not padded like some of the other high end holsters (if you're looking for iwb) and kydex can occasionally mar your gun up.
Good luck finding something you like!
Raven Concealment and Off the Grid holsters have served me very well. Raven has an INSANE wait time though, and OTG will usually crank something out inside a week or two. They're both kydex and look very similar. No thumb breaks anything but the gun is extremely secure. I've used them to carry various pistols over the past couple years and had zero problems. Comp-tac also makes some great concealed stuff.
The only downside to kydex like that is it's not padded like some of the other high end holsters (if you're looking for iwb) and kydex can occasionally mar your gun up.
Good luck finding something you like!
These were the brands that came up most when I consulted my agent friends in my department. Many of them use these because there is no need for them to conceal their weapons on duty, although they don't go out of their way to flaunt them around. I am always open to new stuff, as I'm sure I will end up with more than one holster anyway. Thanks for the input.
Ridge_Runner_5
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Don Hume H721OT
